French accuse Nick of gouging sinner Haouas

FRANCE have accused Scotland star Nick Haining of eye-gouging Mohamed Haouas in the battle of Murrayfield.

And if the breakaway forward is found guilty of one of rugby’s most serious offences he could be banned for four years.

French star Haouas was red-carded for a brutal punch on Jamie Ritchie in Scotland’s stormy 28-17 win on Sunday.

But manager Raphael Ibanez now claims Haouas only lashed out because he was provoked by Haining.

The alleged incident was missed by the officials on the day but Ibanez said: “We have found some quite revealing images that I have transferred to the disciplinary commission.

“We have filed our dossier as precisely as possible. It’s

BY DAVID KELSO now in the hands of the commission.

“The act of Haouas was justifiably punished – there is no possible dispute about that. But we need to understand why he did it.

“It wasn’t by accident.”

Ibanez claimed French TV footage showed Haining’s hand had made contact with the eyes of Haouas in the preceding melee which featured up to 12 players.

And coach Fabien Galthie insisted the full replay of the clash had not been beamed on the stadium’s screens. He said: “The director’s choice is part of the wider case.”

World Rugby rules state any player found guilty of “reckless contact with the eyes” can be suspended for a maximum of 208 weeks.

Scotland’s win ended French hopes of a Grand Slam and Adam Hastings insists they are now on the right track after clicking in defence and attack.

Following defeats in the first two games Gregor Townsend’s men have now won two in a row ahead of their final showdown with Wales this weekend.

And playmaker Hastings said: “You saw us in full flight against the French. It was really pleasing. We’ve got two wins under our belt and need to take that momentum into the final game with Wales.”

After an indifferent display in the win over Italy, Hastings was delighted to return to top form against France.

He said: “A lot of things against Italy were self-inflicted. But it was really pleasing to come through it and bounce back in this game.”

Hastings also paid tribute to defence coach Steve Tandy and said: “He has given us a new lease of life in that area.

“We almost enjoy defending now, whereas we maybe didn’t in the past.”